Improvement in iron fence-posts for wire fences



' .J. W. JA'OKMAN.

- {"lrbnFence-Post fbr Wire-Fences.

No. 2%,855. Patented June 24,1879.

UNITED STATES PA NT OFT-Ton.

JESSE W. JAOKMAN, OF OTTER GREEK TOWN SHIP, LINN OOUNTY, IOWA.

IMPROVEMENT IN IRON FENCE-POSTS FOR WIRE FENCES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 216,855, dated June '24, 1879; application filed March 31, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Jnssn WORTH. JACK- MAN, of Otter Creek township, in the county of Linn and State of Iowa, have invented certain Improvements in Iron Fence-Posts for Wire Fences, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to metallic fence-posts, designed more especially for wire fences; and consists in blades or supports adjustably attached to the post, and adapted to be forced outward from the sides of the post into ahorizontal position beneath the ground.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved post; Fig. 2, a side elevation of the post partially driven into the ground; Fig. 3, a similar view representing the post completely set; and Fig. 4, a view of the lower portion of the post, partly in section.

The objects of my invention are to furnish a post which may be quickly and easily set, and which, when in place, shall stand firm and solid, and in which the wires may be readily inserted and secured.

In the drawings, A represents the post, which is formed with an enlarged and pointed lower end, a, to enter the ground, it being intended to set the post by driving it simply, with little or no previous excavation. The sides of the point and body are hollowed to render the post light and ornamental, and to permit the ready entrance of the post into the ground, and extending transversely across these hollow faces are guides or blocks 1), through which are passed vertical rods B, carrying at their lower ends hinged or pivoted blades 0. The lower end or point, a, of the post, commencing at a sharp point at the lower extremity, widens out as it approaches the body of the post proper, attaining a width somewhat greater than that of the body in each direction, and then joining the body by means of inclined faces, as shown in Fig. 1. The blades 0, when the post is ready for setting, are raised, and lie flat against the sides of the post, as shown in Fig. 1, their lower ends or edges standing at the upper line of the inclined faces, as shown. In this shape the post is driven into the ground to within a few inches of its final position, when the driving of the post is discontinued and the rods B'separately driven downward, the effect of which operation is, that the blades are thrown slightly outward by riding upon the inclined faces, and their edges, which are beveled or chisel-shaped, are thus started into the ground. By continuing the driving downward of the rods B the blades 0 are forced outward,

their upper ends being held and guided by' the rods or stems until they assume a nearly horizontal position, the semicircular enlargements or heads 01 of the blades, to which the rods are attached, resting then in the seats formed by the termination of the grooves in the sides of the post, as represented in Figs. 2, 3, and 4. The post is then driven the remainder of the distance into the ground, which also causes the blades to be forced outward into a horizontal position, as shown in Fig. 4, forming a very strong and solid support in every direction.

As represented in the drawings, the blades 0 of adjoining sides are arranged to stand in different planes in order to give a firmer support to the post and prevent breaking or loosening the earth around the same.

The enlargement of the point a serves to prevent the blades 0 from being directed outward before the post is at the proper depth.

In order that the wires of which the fence is preferably to be constructed may be readily secured to the posts, a dovetail opening or recess is formed transversely across the face of the post, and in the face of this recess is formed a second depression, 6, smaller than the main opening, andof semicircular form, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The'wire D is seated in the groove 0, and a dovetail block or key, E, having a similar semicircular groove, f, in its rear face, is driven into the recess or opening from one side, thus effectually preventing the removal of the wire.

The post as above constructed is neat and durable, easily set, and cheap.

I am aware that a post has been provided with arms hinged thereto at their lower ends, so as to turn outward as the post is lifted; but my device diifers therefrom in that my 7 plates are thrust outward as the post is driven 2. In combination with a fence-post having guides 12 upon its face, the rods or stems B, mounted in said guides, and carrying at their lower ends hinged blades 0, as shown.

JESSE WORTH JAGKMAN.

Witnesses:

U. 0. BLAKE, GEO. W. HoLMEs, Jr. 

